Assistance dogs are specially trained to work alongside their handlers, providing support, boosting independence, and helping them achieve things they might not be able to do alone. From guiding people with vision impairments to alerting those who are deaf or hard of hearing, these incredible animals form a partnership that truly changes lives. They can even be trained to detect changes in blood sugar for people with diabetes, alert someone before a fainting episode, or sniff out gluten for people with coeliac disease. In each case, they work as part of a team with their handler, using skills and instincts that complement human ability to make everyday life safer and more manageable.
At Care on Call, we’ve had the privilege of seeing this firsthand. Katrina, who lives with a mild case of Cerebral Palsy, has been supported by her worker Tina for the past year. Tina is deaf, yet with the help of her hearing assistance dog, Ollie, she is able to provide exceptional support to others every day. Together, Tina and Ollie show how disability doesn’t limit someone’s ability to care for others; it highlights the incredible teamwork between a person and their support dog.
Ollie has an extraordinary sense of timing. He seems to know exactly when it’s time for Tina to leave for work, begin an evening shift, or wrap up for the day; often prompting her with a look that says, “come on, it’s time.”
By supporting Tina, Ollie naturally extends that care to Katrina too. When she needs help while showering or getting dressed, Ollie instinctively knows when to fetch Tina, without Katrina having to call out. Sometimes he even peeks around the shower curtain to check on her (a gentle reminder that help is never far away).
Ollie also joins Tina and Katrina at appointments and outings. For example, as soon as Katrina’s name is mentioned at an appointment, Ollie immediately alerts Tina. Calm and attentive, he’s so well-behaved that when they’re at a café, people are often surprised to learn he’s been quietly lying under the table the whole time. Not only does he respond to Tina’s commands, but he also listens to Katrina, showing just how adaptable and loyal he is.
For Katrina, Ollie has been more than Tina’s support dog; he’s been a reminder of how much independence, safety, and comfort an assistance animal can bring.
Stories like Tina and Ollie’s celebrate the life-changing role that service dogs play. They provide not only practical assistance but also companionship, confidence, and peace of mind. These incredible animals remind us that disability support can come in many forms; sometimes even with a wagging tail.
Want to see more of the magic that hearing dogs bring to people’s lives? Hearing Dogs NZ are a local charity doing amazing work by assessing, training, and placing dogs with deaf and hard-of-hearing New Zealanders. Visit their website to learn more about the difference they make every day.